Mobile Collection Team Participates in Family Day

06/01/2012
By HM1 Erik Torres, ASBP Blood Donor Recruiter, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

John Brown (left), a phlebotomy technician with the Camp Lejeune Blood Donor Center, collects blood from first time Armed Services Blood Program donor Patrick Miller (right).

When Lt. Cmdr. Jeanne Lewandowski, health promotions coordinator for the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, began organizing the group’s Family Day event on May 11, she knew it would be a perfect opportunity to build relationships with the Armed Services Blood Program. Lewandowski has past experience with the military blood program and wanted people to know what the program does for the military community.

“I just wanted to get the word out,” she said. And the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Family Day was just the right way.

The day was clear with sunny skies and was full of activities for service members and their families including pony rides, a rock wall and military displays. Participation in this type of event is an indispensable part of community development, and allowed members of the Camp Lejeune Blood Donor Center to interact with individuals who may not see the Armed Services Blood Program on a day-to-day basis.

For first time Armed Services Blood Program blood donor, Patrick Miller, this was an opportunity for him to help someone else. Miller saw the Camp Lejeune Blood Donor Center blood mobile during the festivities and decided to stop by. Once he learned about the program and what it provides to service members, veterans and their families, he was eager to donate.

“The staff was friendly and I highly recommended that everyone who can [come out to donate],” said Miller.

Face-to-face interactions with potential donors have proven to be a great way to encourage donations. By participating in the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Family Day, it was easy for donors to walk by and learn about the Armed Services Blood Program. The conversations between staff members and potential donors helped to diminish the anxious feelings about giving blood and most importantly, emphasized the reason why their donations were important.

At the end of the day, many service members and their families knew what the Armed Services Blood Program provided for them—a way to save a life!

To find out more about the Armed Services Blood Program or to schedule an appointment, please visit us online: www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with some of our staff, see more photos or to get the latest news, visit us here: www.facebook.com/militaryblood, www.flickr.com/militaryblood and www.twitter.com/militaryblood.